Thursday, April 26, 2018

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) is to vote on a motion starting May 4 that could potentially release ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from prison, the court said on Wednesday.

Lula's defense team hopes to overturn a decision by Sergio Moro, a federal judge and head of a key corruption investigation, that determined Lula had to begin serving a 12-year sentence for accepting bribes.

Lula was imprisoned on April 7, effectively derailing his bid to run for a third term in October elections.

STF judges will have until midnight of May 10 to submit their electronic votes, without having to meet in person to debate the case.

Should all the votes be in before the deadline, the much-anticipated results could be announced earlier.

Lula's Workers' Party (PT) has said he remains their candidate despite his legal troubles, which it claims have been politically motivated to keep him out of the race.

His lawyers argue that Moro's decision to have him begin his sentence was premature, since they have not exhausted his appeals process.

Six events with prize purse of Rs. 8 lakh each to be staged this season

New Delhi, April 26, 2018: The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has announced the return of its Feeder Tour after a gap of four years. The 2018 PGTI Feeder Tour season will feature six events with a prize purse of Rs. 8 lakh each.

The PGTI Feeder Tour was last staged in 2014 with six events carrying a prize purse of Rs. 6 lakh each. The 2018 season of the Feeder Tour has thus seen an increase of Rs. 12 lakh (33%) in the combined prize purse which now stands at Rs. 48 lakh.

The Feeder Tour events will have a maximum field of 90 players and will be played over three rounds of 18 holes each with the cut being applied after 36 holes. The winner of this year’s Feeder Tour Order of Merit will earn an exemption on the main tour for the 2019 season.

The Feeder Tour season tees off with the first event which will be played from May 23 – 25, 2018, at the BSF Golf Club in Chhawla, New Delhi. The BSF Golf Club will be hosting its first ever professional event.

The tour then moves to the Aravalli Golf Club, Faridabad, from May 28 – 30. The third event of the season will be played at the Madhuban Meadows Golf Club, Karnal, from June 20 – 22 while the fourth event will be hosted by the Rambagh Golf Club, Jaipur, from June 26 – 28.

The last two events of the season will be held at two different golf courses in Lucknow. While the season’s fifth event takes place at the Lucknow Golf Club from July 4 – 6, the sixth and last event is scheduled to be hosted by the Palms Golf Club & Resort, Lucknow, from July 10 – 12.

Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “We are proud to announce the revival of the PGTI Feeder Tour after a four-year gap. The Feeder Tour has in the past served as a stepping stone for our professionals as several winners on the tour have later gone on to make an impact on the PGTI. We are confident that the Feeder Tour will once again play a role in strengthening the foundations of professional golf in India. The significant enhancement in the prize purse this season will contribute towards making the Feeder Tour even more competitive than before.”

Facing growing pressure to hand over power to Nikol Pashinian, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) said that it is ready to discuss “any issue” with the opposition leader.

In an announcement late on April 25, the HHK also indicated that it will replace longtime ruler Serzh Sarkisian, who remains the party chairman since resigning his post as prime minister this week, with a new leader.

The HHK’s announcement came after party members met with Sarkisian and acting Prime Minister Karen Karapetian to discuss the political crisis in Armenia.

It said that Sarkisian, who served two presidential terms from 2008-18, gave “more detailed explanations” for his decision to step down just six days after being elected prime minister by the HHK-controlled parliament.

It said the ex-president urged HHK lawmakers to make “stability and the country’s security” their chief priority.

According to the statement, the “second half of the meeting” was held in Sarkisian’s absence and focused on the government’s standoff with protesters led by Pashinian.

The participants agreed to declare that “the HHK faction is prepared to discuss any issues with all sides without preconditions,” it said.

The HHK meeting came as Pashinian, who leads the opposition Civil Contract party, held another big rally in Yerevan to demand that the parliament appoint him as interim prime minister and call snap elections

“We demand an explicit and unconditional capitulation of the Republican Party to the people,” he said.

Pashinian warned that his supporters will “blockade” the parliament building and the prime minister’s office in Yerevan if the HHK majority in the National Assembly moves to install Karapetian as prime minister. He accused Karapetian of illegally occupying the country’s top executive post.

“We are saying at this [Republic] Square that the Armenian people have a candidate for prime minister and the National Assembly factions must reckon with this political reality and nominate that candidate by consensus,” Pashinian said, clearly referring to himself. Pashinian urged supporters to continue to demonstrate and block streets and roads on April 26.

HHK’s move to open broad discussions with Pashinian came after the party suffered a blow with the departure of a junior partner from its governing coalition on April 25.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation, also known as Dashnaktsutyun, said in a statement that the parliament should elect a prime minister who “enjoys the people’s confidence.”

An opposition bloc also announced on April 25 that it would officially nominate Pashinian as the next prime minister.

Tens Of Thousands Protest In Yerevan, Other Armenian Cities Against Sarkisian As New Prime Minister in the capital city Yerevan and spread protests in other cities including Gyumri and Vanadzor, according to local media.

Protest leader Nikol Pashinian, after announcing the start of a “peaceful people’s revolution” in Armenia, told the rally in Yerevan that “Sarkisian lacks legitimacy and has earned the hatred of Armenians.”Protesters are rallies against the government wants to have fair free election and party in rules from last twenty years has not been able to fulfill the dreams of the people. Russian official said we shall not interfere in the velvet revolution of the states.

The demonstrators massed in Yerevan’s Republic Square late on April 17, holding Armenian flags and chanting “Armenia without Serzh.”

Protests continued and spread across the country, closing transport routes without notice. Many protesters have been detained, or dispersed by law enforcement. Due to the unpredictable nature of the protests and heavy police presence, there could be a potential for violence.

Police explicit warnings that they would act to quell the unrest, hundreds of demonstrators blocked streets in central Yerevan on April 17, a day after dozens of protesters were hurt in clashes with police barring the path to parliament.

Yervean’s France Square, a deputy police chief handed Pashinian a notice warning that protesters had violated legislation on public gatherings and that the authorities had decided to stop the demonstrations.

Pashinian tore up the warning without reading it and declared that a campaign of “total disobedience” had begun. Nearby, a group of protesters were camped out in front of a riot-police line on a central street, with rolls of razor wire separating the two sides.

“I declare today the launching of a velvet [revolution], a peaceful people’s revolution,” Pashinian, wearing a camouflage T-shirt, said as Sarkisian addressed lawmakers from the legislature’s podium before a vote that seemed certain to make him prime minister.

“A revolutionary situation is brewing across the country. Demonstrators are blocking streets and…highways in the cities of Gyumri, Ijevan, Vanadzor, Kapan, and Metsamor,” he added. “People are not going to work, mass strikes have begun.”

Violent protests are throughout Nicaragua, specially in Managua, Masaya, Leon and Esteli. The protests started on 18 April 2018. Street violence has involved tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition, resulting in many serious injuries and at least 10 fatalities. Some Government buildings have been damaged, and troops have been deployed in several cities.

Access to the Managua International Airport and to the area of Carretera a Masaya (where universities, shopping malls and restaurants are located) may be affected. Demonstrations are scheduled to continue until 23 April, however there are reports of escalating violence across the country and the demonstrations may continue longer.

Many students were arrested during anti-government protests in Nicaragua have been released by police, after the protests started on 18 April 2018, in eight days of demonstrations in which nearly 30 persons were killed. The alleged protesters emerged from prison with shaved heads and some of them accused police of beating and torturing them while in captivity. “It was three hours of torture: beatings, kicks, they lined up to kick me,” one of the students, who did not want his name publicised, told Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa.

Police said in a statement that detainees had been handed over to relatives and in some cases religious committees in six cities in Nicaragua by Tuesday 8:30am (14:30 GMT), but did not specify how many were let go.

On Tuesday, the Roman Catholic Church agreed to mediate between members of civil society and Nicaragua’s embattled President Daniel Ortega.

In a press conference, cardinal Leopoldo Brenes called on Nicaraguans, as well as the goverment to “avoid all acts of violence, [and acts that are] disrespectful of public and private property”.

Protests erupted in Nicaragua on Wednesday over a controversial reform of the country’s social security system.

Police were criticised for their heavy-handed response to the protests, and accused of using live ammunition against demonstrators. Hundreds were injured, while dozens of shops in Managua were looted amid the unrest.

In a televised meeting on Sunday evening, Ortega cancelled the reforms, but tens of thousands of people marched in Managua on Monday, with many calling for the resignation of their 72-year-old president.

The former Sandinista guerrilla is on his third consecutive term and has been accused of nepotism – his wife Rosario Murillo is the vice president – and for undermining democratic institutions to tighten his grip on power.

Murillo softened her rhetoric on Tuesday when she told protesters there was “faith that we are going to go forward united”, days after coining them “vampires”.

World leaders have expressed their concern over the violent protests.A spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office said, “We are particularly concerned that a number of these deaths may amount to unlawful killings,” Liz Throssell told reporters at a Tuesday press briefing.

April 25, 2018: Hamdard Laboratories (India), an over 100 year old Unani and FMCG company in India announced over 200 winners at their Bonanza Lucky Draw held at India Islamic Centre in New Delhi.

Launched in 2014, Hamdard Bonanza an innovative customer loyalty programme for Unani practitioners & retailers has now become an iconic scheme. There has been an overwhelming response from Unani fraternity with more than 3500 participants from across the country. The event was a culmination of Hamdard Bonanza (2016-2017) and saw a lucky draw to identify over 200 lucky winners of prizes, including Bumper prize of a Maruti Alto Car. The other prizes comprised of scooty, laptops & other consumer goods. This event is the culmination of both the phases of this loyalty programme. Phase 1 was from 2nd December, 2016 to 25th January, 2017 and the Phase 2 was from 15th February, 2017 to 31st March, 2017.

Dr Abdul Majid from Hyderabad was the lucky winner of the bumper prize of Maruti Alto Car.

Mansoor Ali, Chief Sales &Marketing Officer, Hamdard Laboratories (India) said, “Hamdard Bonanza is a great loyalty programme that we initiated in the year 2014. We are grateful to the hakims and doctors for their contribution in Hamdard and the society at large. Through this programme, we acknowledge their efforts and positive impact on the Unani system.”

About Hamdard Laboratories India:

Established in 1906 by Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed as a Unani company, Hamdard is a progressive, research based, health and wellness organization with a focus on developing innovative and natural solutions for the masses based on Unani system of medicine. Hamdard India has a wide portfolio of over 500 natural and herb based products and is amongst the leading Health & Wellness companies in India. Hamdard India is the manufacturer and exporter of the world’s largest range of Unani medicines; exporting to more than 22 countries across the globe. Hamdard’s area of expertise include lifestyle disease management, weight management, skin and hair care, gastro care, men’s health, women’s health, cough and cold wellness products and Unani medicines. The top brands are RoohAfza, Safi, Roghan Badam Shirin, Sualin, Joshina, and Cinkara. With over 100 years of service to health and humanity, Hamdard has today become synonymous with ‘integrity’ and ‘high quality’ and stands as a mission committed to serve and benefit the society at large.

Martha Farrell Foundation has been working among women groups across India since inception. The core activities of the foundation are to empower women through participation and action-oriented programmes.

Gender inequality has been the curse of all the developing and developed societies since civilization. Patriarchy and subordination of women are embedded in the social system of India. In societies such as ours, it is almost a given that women will spend much longer caring for the home and children than men.

In the 1850s the women groups in the United States of America struggled to include women in the provisions of 14th and 15th Amendments (Extending citizenship rights and granting voting rights). In India, Savitribai Phule opened the first school for girls in 1848 with the support of his husband Jyotirao Phule which allowed the women of marginalized sections of the society to get an education and prepare them to assert for their rights. Education is the only tool through which women and men can achieve social and economic mobility in life.

Patriarchal mindset in India needs to be changed. A girl child is not welcome at the time of birth. Statics reveal that women are vulnerable in every part of India. Public transport is often intermittent, they face harassment en route and late working hours leave them open to greater risk of violence. Casting couch is prevalent in every field of industry. According to 2016 report by National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) more than 3 lakh incidents of crime against women were recorded. Such crimes against women belonging to the marginalized sections of the society increased manifold.

India is an emerging economy. Data reveals that only 25 percent of Indian women are in the workforce, while for China it 70 percent. To reduce this gap, inclusive policies need to be formulated and implemented. Women need to develop a scientific outlook for that dogmatism and superstitions should be rejected. Dowry system needs to be annihilated. Social and economic inequality can only be reduced through empowering women. Men monopolization over the mind of women needs to be demolished. They need to be empowered not only at the regional level but also at the national level. The representation of women in Parliament of India needs to include.

Since independence, several initiatives on the part of the government as well private organizations are taken in safeguarding the vulnerable women. Contributions by Martha Farrell Foundation, Society for Participatory Research in Asia ( PRIA) and Rizwan Adatia Foundation in empowering women are commendable and need to be supported by every sensitive citizen of the world.

During the function, awards under different category were given to individuals and institutions. The J&K Government has admitted in the Legislative Assembly while giving a reply that 11,786 cases of crime against women in 2016 were reported. Gang Rape, Kidnapping are common in the state of J& K. In that situation, Nadiya Shafi, a promising individual from Kashmir has been working among marginalized women groups to educate them about their constitutional and legal rights. Malti Sangne of RSCD, Maharashtra received institution category award. RSCD organized several programmes for the empowerment of marginalized women in the state of Maharashtra.

A dialogue took place on the sensitive issues concerning women among the panelists. Rizwan Adatia, Founder & Chairman of Rizwan Adatia Foundation, a visionary, philanthropist narrated his story how he began his journey from a humble background. His mother, a pious woman motivated him to engage in social services particularly for the vulnerable women. From that day onward, he and his family have been working for the upliftment and empowerment of marginalized women. Rizwan said: “There is need to bring about change in the minds and hearts of the people and create awareness in the society towards gender equality”.Sohail has been creating awareness among boys and girls through sports platform. He said: Girls and boys can understand better when they engage in open discussion”. The discussion was moderated by Ms Poonam Muttreja, Population Foundation of India. A song is sung by Tripy Sama, musical band mesmerized the audience. Nandita Pradhan Bhatt, Director, Martha Farrell Foundation thanked the guests for participation.

Ferzan Ozpetek’s “Le fate ignoranti” (The Ignorant Fairies ) takes up a more unconventional notion of family regarded as a gender-fluid community of individuals. It is almost a coming of age story wherein a couple will end up knowing each other in a very unique way.

PLOT:

When Antonia’s husband Massimo is killed in a car accident, she accidentally discovers that he has been having a same-sex affair with a produce wholesaler named Michele. Although she’s initially devastated by the news and hostile toward Michele, she soon develops a friendship with him and his and Massimo’s circle of gay, transgender, and straight friends, among whom are a Turkish immigrant, a playwright and a boutique owner. As she gets to know these people and become a part of their lives, the new relationships dramatically transform Antonia.